New Pope calls for truth in journalism as Zelensky invites him to Ukraine

New Pope, Leo XIV, received an invitation to Ukraine, from President Zelensky, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

This follows the pontiff’s appeal to journalists to help end the deepening polarization in global discourse, which he described as a “war on words.”

Zelenskyy shared news of the invitation on Monday via a post on Telegram, revealing that he had spoken by phone with Pope Leo XIV.

This was reportedly shortly after the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church addressed thousands of journalists at the Vatican.

Leo is the first pontiff from North America.

“I invited His Holiness to undertake an apostolic visit to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He emphasized that such a visit would bring meaningful hope to the faithful and the broader Ukrainian population.

He characterized the conversation as “very warm and truly substantive,” highlighting a tone of mutual respect and shared concern.

During his address to journalists in the Paul VI Hall, the pope’s first public audience with the media, Leo was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

The 69-year-old pontiff began his remarks with humour, joking in English that he hoped the crowd would stay awake during the session.

He then shifted to Italian to deliver a more serious message.

In it, he expressed gratitude for the media’s coverage of his predecessor Pope Francis’s passing and the recent papal conclave that led to his election.

Pope Leo emphasized the crucial role communication plays in society, urging media professionals to move away from divisive rhetoric and instead champion truth and unity.

“We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images,” he said, stressing that journalists should reject the framework of conflict and ideological battles.

He called on journalists to promote narratives rooted in compassion and accuracy, arguing that modern communication is often entangled in ideologically charged or emotionally disconnected language.

“One of the major challenges today,” he noted, “is to break through the confusion created by loveless, partisan language.”

In a strong defense of press freedom, Pope Leo XIV also addressed the plight of journalists who have been imprisoned for simply performing their jobs.

He said their suffering should stir the moral conscience of governments and the global community.

“The precious gift of free speech and a free press must be protected,” he declared, adding that safeguarding these rights is vital to democratic and moral societies.

He further warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence in media and communication must be approached with “responsibility and discernment.”

He called for thoughtful regulation and ethical standards in the age of digital tools.

The press conference, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, did not include a question-and-answer session.

This left journalists without the opportunity to ask the Pope about pressing concerns.

Many had hoped for insights into how Pope Leo XIV plans to address key issues facing the Catholic Church, particularly the widespread and unresolved issue of clerical sexual abuse.

Earlier, during his first public Sunday address delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo echoed the peace advocacy of his predecessor by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

He also called for a just, lasting peace in Ukraine.

In addition, he also urged a global end to armed conflicts, describing modern warfare as resembling “a third world war in pieces,” a phrase often used by Pope Francis.

Leo also acknowledged recent diplomatic developments, including the truce between India and Pakistan, and referenced the end of World War II in 1945 as a reminder of the importance of peace and reconciliation.

The new pontiff’s official inauguration mass is scheduled for May 18 at 10 a.m., with world leaders expected to attend the ceremony.

His first formal papal audience will take place on May 21.

Over the weekend, Leo made one of his first public appearances by visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he paid tribute at the tomb of Pope Francis.

This marked the beginning of his papacy with a symbolic gesture of continuity and respect.

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